Novak Djokovic, the holder of a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles and arguably the most decorated player in the history of men’s tennis, finds himself in a familiar yet seemingly unwelcome conversation. Despite a career that has redefined the record books, including 100 ATP Tour-level singles titles and 428 weeks at world No. 1, the 38-year-old Serbian now faces persistent questions about his retirement with every tournament exit.

For an athlete still competing at the highest level, having reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams in the 2025 season, these queries have become a catalyst for a defiant and clear-minded reaffirmation of his continued passion for the game.

As reported by Clay Tenis, Djokovic was once again confronted with the retirement question, and his response was both pointed and revealing. He expressed his frustration, stating, “Why do I have to answer this question all the time?” before firmly asserting, “I think I have the right to play for as long as I want.” To bolster his argument, he pointed to the experience of his contemporary, three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka.

Djokovic noted that Wawrinka also frequently hears the same question, stating, “Stan Wawrinka also hears this question many times — have heard interviews from him and I think he is absolutely right when he says: ‘Hey guys, leave me alone. Let me play and have fun.’” This reference to another champion navigating the latter stages of his career served to highlight the shared experience of veteran athletes and Djokovic’s belief in a player’s right to define their own career trajectory.

For now, Djokovic is not merely holding on; he is moving forward on his own terms. He added, “Personally, I understand the curiosity of people, but at this time it does not cross my mind. Of course I’ve thought of myself a few times, but in the end I decided to just play my way — play where I want to play, not where others think I should.”

The Serb is driven by a deep-seated enjoyment of the game, a clear-sighted perspective on his legacy, and a resolve to let his racket, not retirement rumors, do the talking. And yes, he has spoken about this before, too.

Novak Djokovic just loves to play tennis

Novak Djokovic’s motivation stems from a genuine love for competition and a desire to contribute to the sport’s future. He has explained that while achievements are a significant motivation, they are not the sole reason he continues.

“Many thought that after the Olympic Games, after winning gold, I would end my career. But I don’t play tennis just for achievements. Of course, they’re a big part of my motivation, but I also play tennis because I really enjoy competing. I enjoy the process and everything that tennis brings to me: to me personally, to my family, but also what I bring to tennis as long as I remain an active professional,” explained Djokovic.

His perspective is further inspired by legendary athletes from other sports who have competed into their 40s, such as LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tom Brady, viewing them as examples of sustained excellence and longevity. For Novak Djokovic, the final chapter of his legendary career will not be written by public pressure or persistent questions. It will be authored solely by his own enduring love for the game and his unwavering right to compete for as long as he desires.